It was his job after all, as the charming yet caustic co-host of TLC’s hit makeover reality series “What Not to Wear,” to show women how they could look and feel their best based on their fashion choices.

But lately, the author and television personality is far less concerned with what’s hot-or-not, as he is with providing suggestions on how people can live an authentic and well-styled life.

As a current co-host on ABC’s food-centric show “The Chew,” Kelly’s covers topics like etiquette advice and crafts but still remains very much within the world of fashion as a designer and consultant and also, a national spokesperson for Macy’s.

On Friday, March 21, Kelly will be in Indianapolis at Macy’s Caslteton for a Girls’ Night Out where he’ll discuss spring fashion trends for women of all ages, shapes and sizes.

Read on for a peek at Kelly’s thoughts and advice on fashion, food and why 19-year olds always win.

Q: What’s the trick to giving honest advice in a kind way?

A: “It’s really hard to do. I can do it because it’s my job and I’ve made my living doing it for 10 years. It’s harder to give advice when you know a person because its emotionally charged and it can be hard to separate yourself If you’re not a fashion or style expert and no one asked, shut your mouth. You never know what somebody else is going through. You have your reality and they have their reality. You don’t know what its like to be in their body, you don’t know what their budget is, you don’t know how to dress their shape and some people are more gifted aesthetically than others. If somebody asks for your opinion, you can’t offer advice unless you’re willing to do the work to make it better with them.”

Q: What fashion trends are you most excited about for spring?

A: “One of my favorite things is the moto jacket. I love the tough feel but when you pair it with something flirty and more feminine like the big florals that are in. The soft pant is a nice change from leggings and skinny jeans, it’s looser and flowier and refreshing after a decade of the same silhouette. Fuller and a-line skirts are coming back again after the peplum trend and that’s a breath of fresh air.”

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Q: Who are your favorite designers of all-time?

A: “Yves Saint Laurent, Halston and Tom Ford. I wish that in my next life I can be Tom Ford.”

Q: You once said harem pants were a ridiculous trend. What are you currently over?

A: “I’m going to be honest with you — I kind of don’t care. I’ve really been thinking a lot about style and I’m at the point where I don’t care what other people are wearing. I care about what I wear, and you should care about what you wear, but if a style comes in that I don’t like, whatever. It doesn’t get me worked up if I see people wearing PJs in the grocery store. I’m on my path and you’re on your path and if my path involves an adorable cashmere sweater and yours is pajamas, that’s okay.”

Q: Where does your passion lie, in food or fashion?

A: “My passion lies in creating a fabulous life for myself and my family, living authentically and helping other people feel more fabulous. If food were my passion I would have become a chef. Both are part of a bigger picture which is paying attention to everything you’re doing. My journey has been about being authentically Clinton Kelly.”

Q: You graduated from Northwestern University with a Master’s in Journalism and have held several jobs at a variety of magazines. Was television always part of the plan too?

A: “My plan was to take jobs that I felt were fun, exciting and interesting and from which I could learn things. My parents wanted me to get a degree, study something I really loved and I realized in college that writing was what I loved. So I worked as a freelance writer, a magazine editor, from there I was discovered for ‘What Not to Wear’ which led to ‘The Chew.’ I’m enjoying the ride, not fighting, just going with the current. It’s never been about money for me. If you do something you love, you become good at it and you have enthusiasm people. People will pay attention and eventually, pay you for it.”

Readers want to know ...

Q: Are pantyhose ever appropriate?

“I can talk about pantyhose for an hour straight. There are better ways to wear hose than others. One way is to trick people into thinking you’re not wearing hose but they need to match your skin tone — if your legs are two shades darker than the rest of your body, that looks weird. The other option is to go completely opposite with fishnets, or pattern tights, or opaque.”

Q: Do you have a What Not To Wear list for the over-50 set?

“I have four rules. After 50, be careful about how much cleavage you show during the day. If you show too much it looks like you’re trying too hard to lure people with you breasts. You skirt length should be 6-inches above the knee, that’s the absolute shortest, knee-length is the safety zone. Beware of any trend that involves your navel, after a certain age it’s in bad taste. And don’t wear anything that a hooker would wear. As a grown adult you should realize that what makes you appealing is the entire package. If you’re over 50 and want to rock a crop top that’s your right but don’t try to compete with 19-year olds — 19-year olds always win.”

Q: For men: when is it appropriate to wear a vest under the blazer... I wear it to weddings but when else? “Whenever you damn well feel like it. A three piece suit is really nice but jeans and a button front shirt and tie is a nice look too.”